Collapsible cooking stand

ABSTRACT

A collapsible stand that may be attached, for example, to a grill, a stove, or a tabletop. The collapsible stand includes wheels and a handle that permit a user to grasp the handle and pull the stand and anything attached to it (e.g., a grill) when the stand is in a collapsed state.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/569,944, filed May 11, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to stands, and more particularly to acollapsible stand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Camping and tailgating are popular recreational activities enjoyed bymany. Some people camp so that they may enjoy the outdoors, and othersuse camping as an inexpensive alternative to staying in hotels.Tailgating is a great way to meet and eat before ballgames, and hasbecome quite the ritual for many season ticket holders.

Although many campers enjoy being in the outdoors, often campers like toenjoy the luxuries of home while camping. For example, many campersbring lounge chairs or hammocks, portable air mattresses or cots, andsimilar accoutrements to make a camping experience more comfortable.

One thing that most individuals enjoy while camping or tailgating iscooking on a grill or campstove. Typically, at home, an individual isaccustomed to the luxuries of an indoor stove and a large outdoor grill.However, many conventional grills are bulky and oversized, so theirportability and thus use for camping or tailgating is limited.

The assignee of the present invention, The Coleman Company, Inc., hasaddressed the portability of grills by producing and selling a grillunder the trademark “ROADTRIP.” The ROADTRIP grill is a highly portablegas grill (a charcoal model is also available) that folds to a compactconfiguration for transport and storage. In a first version, theROADTRIP grill included a separate base having legs. The legs foldedinto the base for compact storage. In a second version, wheels wereadded to the base to make it more portable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of theinvention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention.This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is notintended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or todelineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to presentsome embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude tothe more detailed description that is presented later.

In accordance with an embodiment, a collapsible stand is provided thatmay be attached, for example, to a grill, a stove, a cooler, or atabletop. The collapsible stand includes wheels and a handle that permita user to grasp the handle and pull the stand and anything attached toit (e.g., a grill) when the stand is in a collapsed state.

In accordance with an embodiment, the collapsible cooking stand isconfigured for one-hand operation. When the stand is in a deployed(i.e., erected) state, a user may stand on a handle (which is on theground in the deployed position) on the stand and grasp another handlepositioned, for example, on a base to which the stand is attached, andrelease the stand by pulling outward on the base handle. The stand maythen be folded, in a scissors fashion, to the collapsed state.

In accordance with an embodiment, a latch is provided for releasablylocking the stand in the deployed state. The latch may be, for example,a flexible clip to which a rotating leg of the stand attaches. Therotating leg is released from the clip and is rotated relative to asecond, fixed (i.e., attached in the deployed and collapsed states) leg.The rotating leg rotates in a scissors fashion relative to the fixed legso the two legs can be moved to the collapsed state.

In accordance with an embodiment, a second latch is provided for lockingthe rotating and fixed legs in the collapsed state. The second latchpermits the stand and anything attached to it, such as a grill, to behung from the handle, for example on the wall of a garage, without fearof the stand unfolding while hanging.

If desired, the handle may be retractable so that the stand may bestowed in a compact configuration. To this end, the fixed leg, whichincludes the handle at its end, may include a telescoping portion whichmay be latched outward or may be retracted to provide stored anddeployed positions.

Other features of the invention will become apparent from the followingdetailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, inwhich:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a grill incorporating a stand inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention, with the stand shown ina deployed state;

FIG. 2 is an exploded side perspective view of the grill and stand ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the grill and stand of FIG. 1, with the standshowed in a collapsed state;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the grill and stand of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom side perspective view of a grill and stand inaccordance with an embodiment, with the stand moving towards a deployedstate;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the grill and stand of FIG. 5, with the standpartly unfolded;

FIG. 7 shows the grill of FIG. 5 in a collapsed state;

FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of a stand in accordance with anembodiment of the invention, the stand shown for use with a table; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded side perspective view of a stand and grill inaccordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, various embodiments of the presentinvention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specificconfigurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent toone skilled in the art that the present invention may be practicedwithout the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may beomitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment beingdescribed.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numeralsrepresent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a grill20 attached to a stand 22. In accordance with an embodiment, the stand22 is configurable between the deployed state shown in FIG. 1 and acollapsed state shown in FIG. 3.

The grill 20 includes a firebox 24 having a lid 26. The firebox 24includes a base 28 (FIG. 4) along its lower surface and handles 30extending out of each of its sides. In the embodiment shown, removableside tables 32 are attached to the grill 20, as is shown in detail inFIG. 2.

Although this embodiment is described with reference to the stand 22being attached to the grill 20, the stand 22 may be attached to anintermediate structure, and/or may be used with other structures. Forexample, the stand 22 may be used for supporting a stove, campfurniture, a cooler, a turkey fryer, or any other item for which it isdesired that the item be accessible at a raised level during use andthat the stand 22 be collapsible for storage or transport.

The stand 22 includes a fixed leg 34 and a rotating leg 44. The fixedleg 34 and the rotating leg 44 rotate relative to one another in ascissors fashion to move between the collapsed state of FIG. 3 and thedeployed state of FIG. 1. The fixed leg 34 is “fixed” in that it isattached to the base 28 in both the deployed state and the collapsedstate of the stand 22-. The rotating leg 44, on the other hand, isreleasably attached to the base 28, and is detachable from the base 28to permit the scissoring action. Although the fixed leg 34 typicallyremains fixed for rotation relative to the base 28, its attachment tothe base 28 may be removable, such as a by a removable pin (not shown)or some other detachable structure.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the fixed leg 34 includes an upperbar 35 (FIG. 2) that extends through a sleeve 36 (FIG. 4) on the bottomof the base 28. The upper bar 35 is mounted for rotation in the sleeve36, permitting the fixed leg 34 to rotate relative to the base 28. Thefixed leg 34 includes two tubes 38, 40 (FIG. 1) extending from the upperbar 35 to a handle 42. However, one tube or more than two tubes (such asthe tubes 38, 40) may be used, and structures other than tubes may beused for the fixed leg 34.

The rotating leg 44 includes wheels 46 mounted at a lower end on an axle48. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the rotating leg 44, like thefixed leg 34, includes two tubes 50, 52. Again, one tube or more thantwo tubes may be used, and other structures may be used to provide thefunction of the rotating leg 44.

A pivot pin 54 extends through the fixed leg 34 and the rotating leg 44,approximately halfway along their lengths. The pivot pin 54 permits freerotation of the rotating leg 44 relative to the fixed leg 34 so that thetwo legs 34, 44 may provide the scissoring action.

An upper bar 56 (FIG. 2) extends along the top of the rotating leg 44between the two tubes 50, 52. In an alternate embodiment shown in FIGS.5-7, the upper bar 56 may be replaced by two protrusions 57 that extendoutward.

A latching mechanism is provided on the bottom of the base 28 forholding an upper portion of the rotating leg 44, such as the upper bar56 or the protrusions 57, in the deployed state. A single clip 59 (FIG.4) receives the bar 56 to provide this function. In the example shown inFIGS. 5-7, the latching mechanism is flexible steel clips 58. Theseflexible steel clips 58 permit the protrusions 57 to be pressed therein,latching the protrusions 57 into the clips 58. To this end, the clips 58include rolled outer lips 60 (FIG. 5), which permit the protrusions 57to be move into the clips 58, forcing the outer portion of the clips 58outward until the protrusions 57 are snapped into a rounded portion 62of the clips 58, as can be seen in phantom in FIG. 5.

The stand 22 is configured so that a user may, using a single hand, movethe stand 22 from the deployed state shown in FIG. 1 to the collapsedstate shown in FIG. 4. The stand 22 may also be moved from the collapsedstate to the deployed state using a single hand. Beginning with thestand 22 being in the deployed state shown in FIG. 1, a user removes theside tables 32 and grasps the handle 30 on the right (FIG. 2) of thegrill 20 and pulls upward and outward (to the right in FIG. 1), whilestanding on the handle 42. The scissoring action of the fixed leg 34 andthe rotating leg 44 causes the upper portion of the rotating leg 44 tomove to the left in FIG. 1, pulling the bar 56 out of the clip 59 or,for the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-7, the protrusions 57 out of theclips 58. To do so, a user pulls outward on the handle 30 a sufficientamount to overcome the spring tension in the clip 59 or the clips 58.However, the spring tension in the clips 58 can be chosen appropriatelyso that significant force is not needed. After the protrusions 57 havebeen removed from the clips 58, the upper portion of the rotating leg 44is in the position shown in FIG. 5.

The user may then press the handle 30 and the grill 20 toward the left(e.g., to the position shown in FIG. 6), while maintaining the user'sfoot on the handle 42, causing the grill 20 to lower and moving thefixed leg 34 and the rotating leg 44 toward the collapsed state.

This movement continues until the fixed leg 34 and the rotating leg 44extend parallel to and adjacent to one another. In accordance with anembodiment, one of these two legs 34, 44 is received in the other. Tothis end, the protrusions 57, because they extend outward, permit thefixed leg 34 to extend within the rotating leg 44 and through theseparated protrusions 57. In this manner, the fixed leg 34 and therotating leg 44 extend along the same plane when laid flat, as shown inFIG. 7.

When the stand 22 is in the collapsed position shown in FIG. 7, a usermay grasp the handle 42 and transport the grill 20 and the stand 22 onthe wheels 46.

The stand 22 is advantageous in that it can be moved from the deployedstate to the collapsed state with a single hand, as described above.Moreover, the weight of the grill 20 or any other item attached to thetop of the stand 22 presses down on the top end of the fixed leg 34 andthe rotating leg 44, forcing the tops of those two legs 34, 44 apart.Thus, gravity ensures that the protrusions 57 stay in the clips 58. Whenthe user grasps the handle 30 to move the stand 22 to the collapsedconfiguration, the effect of gravity is removed. Thus, the clips 58 donot require much spring action to hold the protrusions 57 in place.

In accordance with an embodiment, a latching mechanism, such asadditional clips 64 (FIG. 4) may be provided for locking the fixed leg34 and the rotating leg 44 in the collapsed state. This feature permitsthe stand 22 and the grill 20 to be hung from the handle 42, withoutfear that the stand will unfold from the collapsed configuration. Thus,the stand 22 and the grill 20 may be stored in this manner, for exampleon a garage wall.

If desired, in accordance with an embodiment, multiple clips 58(multiple clips not shown) may be provided underneath the base 28. Theupper bar 56 or protrusions 57 may be positioned in a different set ofclips or a single clip so that varied height of the grill 20 may beprovided.

In accordance with another alternate embodiment, the fixed leg 34 may beretractable so that the handle 42 may be pressed closer to the base 28when the stand is in the collapsed state, providing a more compactstorage configuration. As an example, as shown in FIG. 1, separate holes66 may be provided on a lower leg 67 through with a detent (not shown)attached to an upper leg 68 of the fixed leg 34 extends. By pressing thedetent inward, the lower leg 67 may be released relative to the upperleg 68, and the lower leg 67 may be pressed upward into the upper leg68, providing retraction of the fixed leg 34.

The rotating leg 44 may also be arranged to be retractable. In addition,different types of retraction mechanisms may be supplied, includingtension brackets, internal elastic bands, or other suitable structures.

FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment having a stand 22 for attachment toa table 68. As described above, the stand 22 and other stands inaccordance with the invention may be attached to a number of differentstructures, and the table 68 and the grill 20 are but two examples. Inaccordance with an embodiment, the table 68 includes abutments 70 forreceiving a campstove or a grill. Other structures may be provided onthe table 68 as desired.

FIG. 8 also shows a bent fixed leg 72 in accordance with anotherembodiment. The bent fixed leg 72 permits the handle 42 to extenddownward away from the table 68 (or the grill 20) and be more accessibleto a user when the stand 22 is in the collapsed state. The fixed legs 72or 34 and/or the rotating leg 44 may be curved or bent as desired topresent the handle 30 and wheels 46 in a particular configuration.

FIG. 9 shows yet another alternate embodiment in which the cook box 24is mounted on a base 80. The cook box 24 may be set on top of the base80, or may be fastened, clipped, or otherwise attached to the base 80.

A leg assembly, such as one of the previously- described leg assemblies,is attached to the bottom of the base 80. The embodiment of the legassembly shown in FIG. 9 includes a fixed leg having a single wide post82. The wide post 82 connects to flanges 84 on the bottom of the base80.

A rotating leg is formed by a pair of bars 86 that extend on oppositesides of the wide post 82. Protrusions 87 are included on the ends ofthe bars 86 for clipping into clips 88 on the bottom of the base 80.

The wide post 82 includes a handle 90 at a bottom end, and in theembodiment shown is extensible by having a lower section 92 that mayretract within the wide post 82 so as to shorten the length and reach ofthe handle 90.

In an embodiment, an extension (not shown) or other structure may beprovided so that the stand 22 may support the grill 20 in an uprightposition. For example, a user may pull the grill 20 in the configurationshown in FIG. 3, for example at a 45 degree angle to the ground. Thehandle 42 may then be lifted, raising the grill to closer to vertical,and supporting the grill on the extension and the wheels 46.

This feature may be provided, for example, by an extension upward fromthe axle 48, a feature built into a side of the grill or a base for thegrill, an extension somewhere else on the stand 22, or by an additionalset of wheels, as examples. By supporting the grill 20 in the uprightposition, the user may release the handle 42 without having to lay thegrill on the ground.

Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus,while the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof isshown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that there is no intention to limit theinvention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary,the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions,and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, asdefined in the appended claims.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to beconstrued as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joinedtogether, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of rangesof values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method ofreferring individually to each separate value falling within the range,unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value isincorporated into the specification as if it were individually recitedherein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitableorder unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplarylanguage (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to betterilluminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitationon the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language inthe specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimedelement as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Theinventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations asappropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, thisinvention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

1. A grill, comprising: a firebox; and a stand attached to the fireboxfor supporting the firebox, the stand comprising: a first leg; a secondleg rotatably attached to the first leg so that the legs are movable inscissors fashion; at least one wheel attached to the first leg or thesecond leg; and a handle attached to the first leg, the first and secondlegs being movable between a first position where the first and secondlegs support the firebox and a second position where the first andsecond legs are collapsed and the firebox may be transported on said atleast one wheel while being pulled by the handle.
 2. The grill of claim1, further comprising a base for the firebox, and wherein the first legis rotatably connected to the base, and the second leg is rotatablyconnected to the first leg.
 3. The grill of claim 2, wherein the secondleg includes a first end attached to said at least one wheel, and asecond end that is removably connectable to the base.
 4. The grill ofclaim 2, wherein the base comprises a piece separate from the firebox.5. The grill of claim 2, wherein the base comprises a bottom portion ofthe firebox.
 6. The grill of claim 1, wherein the first leg isretractable.
 7. The grill of claim 1, wherein, in the second position,one of the first leg and the second leg is received in the other of thefirst leg and the second leg.
 8. The grill of claim 1, wherein, in thesecond position, the first leg and the second leg extend substantiallyparallel to one another.
 9. The grill of claim 1, wherein the first legis rotatably connected to the firebox at one end and to the handle atthe other end.
 10. The grill of claim 9, wherein the second leg includesa first end attached to said at least one wheel, and a second end thatis removably connectable to the base.
 11. A stand for supporting anitem, comprising: a first leg; a second leg rotatably attached to thefirst leg in scissors fashion; at least one wheel attached to the firstleg or the second leg; and a handle attached to the first leg, the firstand second legs being movable between a first position where the firstand second legs support the item and a second position where the firstand second legs are collapsed and the item may be transported on said atleast one wheel while being pulled by the handle.
 12. The stand of claim11, further comprising a base for the item, and wherein the first leg isrotatably connected to the base, and the second leg is rotatablyconnected to the first leg.
 13. The stand of claim 12, wherein thesecond leg includes a first end attached to said at least one wheel, anda second end that is removably connectable to the base.
 14. The stand ofclaim 12, wherein the base comprises a piece separate from the item. 15.The stand of claim 12, wherein the base comprises a bottom portion ofthe item.
 16. The stand of claim 11, wherein the first leg isretractable.
 17. The stand of claim 11, wherein, in the second position,one of the first leg and the second leg is received in the other of thefirst leg and the second leg.
 18. The stand of claim 11, wherein, in thesecond position, the first leg and the second leg extend substantiallyparallel to one another.
 19. The stand of claim 11, wherein the firstleg is rotatably connected to the item at one end and to the handle atthe other end.
 20. The stand of claim 19, wherein the second legincludes a first end attached to said at least one wheel, and a secondend that is removably connectable to the item.